Local BD Bargains

[Cevolution]

Originally Posted by atexp80

Sorry, but I'm not spitting in the face of anyone. If you want to pay more that's fine and if you think that it's supporting Australians then that's fine also but that's neglecting the other circumstances. These (for the most part) are international studios. Not only do profit margins go back to them but any residuals here in Australia are linked to big companies like Woolworths and Coles Myer and they are anything but Australian.

As for prices, well there are price disparities everywhere. Some are massive, others not so much. Go to China and you can get a 600ml Coke for $0.20, KFC is around the same price but a box of breakfast cereal will set you back $25. Things cost different amounts in different places for a variety of reasons. It doesn't mean we should be forced to pay what's being asked here in Australia and it doesn't mean what's being asked in Australia is necessarily dependent on our wages. Facts have shown that cost of living for staples such as groceries and utilities have increased significantly within the past 5 years however wages have not risen in line - they've actually increased on average by about half the amount.

Regarding your "measly $5-$10", well that might be disposable for you but to some that makes a big difference. Buy a couple of films a week (or more) and that makes a big difference - that's child care fees for a day, dinner for the family one night of the week or travel costs to and from work for a day or two. It all adds up...

This whole "we should support Australian stores because we're Australian" thing is quite frankly a load of crap. Australian retailers have tried to play that card far too many times and it's been squandered. Australian stores continue to be uncompetitive in a market that's been changing its business model significantly over the past 15 or so years. While overseas retailers minimise costs and increase their reach Australian retailers are still trying to push a business model from the 80's. They're still hoping that people won't import for a multitude of reasons and basically banking on people thinking buying locally is convenient. Even when they've tried (e.g. JB's web site) all you ever hear is how everyone's had bad experiences with shipping times and quality of service so the outcome is that consumer confidence is damaged and they resort to the old ways. It plain doesn't work and anyone paying extra is kidding themselves if they think it goes to supporting Australians in work. I've worked in welfare and human services roles for most of my life and I can tell you right now that 99% of businesses are more focused on making a dollar than supporting Australian workers. It's only done when convenient and not as a rule to live by. The ones most concerned with local conditions and staff are generally smaller businesses that have direct links to the community. These guys need your support to survive and they support the local community in turn. In this case the film studios are not those types of businesses. They're the big guys competing AGAINST those businesses.

I support Australian when and if I can but I won't hand over a bunch of $$$ when it serves no purpose other than to pad large retailer's and big studio's profit margins. There are two sections of the business community always crying poor: banks and retailers. Guess who continually turn big profits? Yep, they're doing just fine. The problem is the $ don't always flow to where they may be needed and no amount of purchasing local solves that issue when the people at the top running the company are either not Australian or answer to people outside of Australia. It's then a global interest and takes on a completely different approach.

Besides, with all due respect I find that a lot of people saying we should buy locally often are willing to overlook a number of things like the fact that the labels on your clothing say "made in China", just as it is likely the phone in your pocket does. Everyone has levels at which they draw the line between affordability and sustainability. Because you draw the line at one point does not mean you are better or worse than anybody else, any more of less Australian or taking advantage of people. It's wonderful that your wage clearly affords you the ability to purchase in such a manner however simply because you find yourself in that position does not mean others are. Seeing as though Aussies love to proclaim the right to a fair go shouldn't that be the means to find goods, services, education and health care etc at the best possible price and best quality wherever it may be available without fear of being judged as basically being un-Australian if the best deal happens to not be on our shores?

Anywho, enough on that...

I think you may have taken what I said a little out of context. I agree that you have made some valid points (of which I don't necessarily agree with all, but I won't get into that ), however I was more referring to Australian jobs. By purchasing movies for example from Australian retailers, it is not only supporting the international studios, it is also supporting the retailers that employ Australian people. Although the big retailers are not exactly poor as you've stated, they do still employ Australian people and if those jobs were not there it would still have a significant impact on those people and the economy.

You may wholeheartedly believe that it makes no difference where we spend our money, due to the reasons you have stated above, such as the money all going overseas anyway, and that's fine, however I think that's a little naive to think that it doesn't have a positive effect on the Australian economy.

[melmac]

The JB site is currently taking 20% off, I've not heard anything about a sale has anyone else?

[Cevolution]

Originally Posted by melmac

The JB site is currently taking 20% off, I've not heard anything about a sale has anyone else?

Thanks for that. I just bought The Friends collection for $116 for the fiancee, which I selected to pick up in store tomorrow. It's a good example of another great local new release deal on offer, which trumps both Amazon U.S and UK, even before the discount was applied.

[melmac]

Originally Posted by Cevolution

Thanks for that. I just bought The Friends collection for $116 for the fiancee, which I selected to pick up in store tomorrow. It's a good example of another great local new release deal on offer, which trumps both Amazon U.S and UK, even before the discount was applied.

Funny so did I Chrissy present for my brother, I did a pickup order to avoid postage damage.

[insomniac]

I suppose I'll order My Neighbour Totoro, or I could be waiting anywhere for up to a year until Madman does a temporary price cut.

My cousin would be thrilled to get her 1-year old into it, as she loves the character.

It's also a childhood favourite of mine.

Wasn't expecting another 20% sale so soon, there was one just 2 weeks ago!

[melmac]

Originally Posted by insomniac

Wasn't expecting another 20% sale so soon, there was one just 2 weeks ago!

I'm not convinced it's not a website glitch I've not seen any advertising for it and there's no mention on their facebook or twitter

[Cevolution]

Originally Posted by insomniac

I suppose I'll order My Neighbour Totoro, or I could be waiting anywhere for up to a year until Madman does a temporary price cut.

My cousin would be thrilled to get her 1-year old into it, as she loves the character.

It's also a childhood favourite of mine.

Wasn't expecting another 20% sale so soon, there was one just 2 weeks ago!

I actually wish it was next week instead, because I've got quite a few preorders placed with JB that come out next week.

Edit: Actually I just noticed that it states on Jb's website that the 20% off sale goes right through til the 5/12, so I'll be able to pick up those titles which are released next week and still benefit from it. I might even try my luck by purchasing another copy of The Dark Knight Rises, and see if they will price match Target or Kmart's price, then apply the 20% off to that.

[insomniac]

Originally Posted by melmac

I'm not convinced it's not a website glitch I've not seen any advertising for it and there's no mention on their facebook or twitter

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. But let's take advantage of it anyway.

[NickMate]

So happy im getting paid tomorrow. Have a couple of blus to buy including the new Ice Age so the discount is great.

[melmac]

Originally Posted by melmac

I'm not convinced it's not a website glitch I've not seen any advertising for it and there's no mention on their facebook or twitter

So there's now a site banner stating the sale ends 5/12 and excludes pre-orders

[Rusty1989]

So annoying. I bought TDKR from them just yesterday lol. Might buy Ted.

[Blueherring]

So is the 20% off instore as well?
It's good that it's till the 5th of Dec, plenty of time.

Now I can get Brave for $32 instead of $40 with the bonus disc.
And get the version of Ice age with everything for $29.58
And even grab DKR double play for slightly less than Big w.

[Blu-Ray73]

It looks like Ill be getting the cowl TDKR in about a weeks time, Im more than happy to wait a bit longer for it.

[Cevolution]

Originally Posted by Rusty1989

So annoying. I bought TDKR from them just yesterday lol. Might buy Ted.

I got TDKR for $24 at JB on Monday, which is the same price as it scans up at with their 20% off, so luckily it's no biggie for me. Though I just thought I would see if I could get them to price match Target/Kmart for $25, and then take 20% off. That would have brought it down to $20, however they refused to do it, saying that they don't price match when their 20% off price comes up lower than the competitors price, which is BS because they have done it for me plenty of times before. If they allowed it I would have simply returned it with my other receipt from Monday. If anyone is successful in getting JB to price match Target/Kmart and then receiving a further 20% off, let us all know .

[Cevolution]

Originally Posted by Blueherring

So is the 20% off instore as well?
It's good that it's till the 5th of Dec, plenty of time.

Now I can get Brave for $32 instead of $40 with the bonus disc.
And get the version of Ice age with everything for $29.58
And even grab DKR double play for slightly less than Big w.

Yeah it's instore as well as online.

[Pink Bits]

So where is the cheapest place to pick up the Dark Knight Trilogy? Big W for $44?

[NickMate]

Ok...does the big w version of TDKR have a slip or just a comic.?

[xxmatthewxx]

Originally Posted by Cevolution

I got TDKR for $24 at JB on Monday, which is the same price as it scans up at with their 20% off, so luckily it's no biggie for me. Though I just thought I would see if I could get them to price match Target/Kmart for $25, and then take 20% off. That would have brought it down to $20, however they refused to do it, saying that they don't price match when their 20% off price comes up lower than the competitors price, which is BS because they have done it for me plenty of times before. If they allowed it I would have simply returned it with my other receipt from Monday. If anyone is successful in getting JB to price match Target/Kmart and then receiving a further 20% off, let us all know .

Was gonna say when you first mentioned it further discounts are usually excluded. It's mentioned in the fine print of the percentage off sales generally 'no further discounts'. Whenever we used to have to do price matches in a percentage off sale you would have to add the percentage to whatever the price was so when it would over ride it would go to the price matched price.

[nitin]

I justed pre-ordered Catch Me if You Can. Its listed price was $19.98, but it is part of the 2 for $30 sale. I added another 2 for $30 item, price went down to $12 each because of the 20% discount. Then, because I decided I didnt want that other item, I deleted it but Catch Me if You Can remained at $12. So locked in the pre-order for $12.99 including shipping.

[NickMate]

Originally Posted by nitin

I justed pre-ordered Catch Me if You Can. Its listed price was $19.98, but it is part of the 2 for $30 sale. I added another 2 for $30 item, price went down to $12 each because of the 20% discount. Then, because I decided I didnt want that other item, I deleted it but Catch Me if You Can remained at $12. So locked in the pre-order for $12.99 including shipping.

it's not meant to include pre-orders...